I have no idea how I injured my back, but the results landed me flat out in knife-twisting agony for nearly three weeks. I’ve had back problems before but nothing compared to this torture – not even back in 1985 when the medics came, hoisted me off my bedroom floor and carried me to the Emergency Room, where the doctor instructed me to ...Read More

Have you noticed that the craze today is to reveal as much about ourselves as possible without uttering a word?  Before a person even says hello we have knowledge of his inner-most feelings and beliefs. How? All we have to do is look at his car, wrist, chest, head or derriere to instantly gain insight into who he is.  Take bumper stickers...Read More

I recently learned about a craze that’s been added to the growing list of body mutilations for beautification. Doctors whittle away and add to all parts of our body. They stick needles into our foreheads, jaw lines, lips and breasts. Tattoo artists shoot permanent ink under our skin. We have holes pierced into our faces, and various other bod...Read More

Yesterday I did something I haven’t done in years. I pigged out. I stuffed a whole box of cookies down my throat because I couldn’t stop.   If you have no understanding of pigging out, then nothing I say here will be of interest to you. Either your eating habits are under control or you actually prefer carrots over carrot cake. In ...Read More

Today, I left the house without making my bed. This may not sound like a big deal, but for me it was the ultimate act of rebellion and bravery. My mother warned me years ago that such abhorrent behavior could result in consequences of epic proportion; like what if unexpected company shows up and thinks I’m a slob?  Or, suppose the Bed Pa...Read More

A friend in California wrote to me extolling the delights of camping. She went on to proudly describe her ingenuity in preparing a dozen ice cream filled cones, packing them with dry ice and finding them frozen and in tact several hours later when she arrived at her designated camp site and served them to her grandchildren. I admit to being impress...Read More

It was October 6, 1960 as I sat with my mother in a local diner.  I’d phoned her because I was having peculiar feelings in my belly and needed reassurance.  I was in the ninth month of my first pregnancy and even though my due date was in two days I knew I couldn’t possibly be in labor, because when I asked my doctor, How will...Read More

After forty seven years of marriage, five children and fourteen grandchildren, my husband, Marc, lost his beloved wife to Alzheimer’s. Phyllis’s illness spanned ten cruel, heart wrenching years during which Marc was her soul care giver. Several years ago our old friend, Harry, from California, sent us an e-mail expressing concerns that ...Read More

After an unfulfilling twenty one year marriage, I divorced and savored single life for twenty three years. I loved my independence and knew I would never again subjugate my identity to maintain a peaceful relationship. If I couldn’t find a man whose interests and temperament matched mine I was perfectly happy to remain forever single. I loved...Read More

I awaken early so I can get to my computer and write while the day is fresh and tranquil. In the midst of deep thought my phone rings and although I ignore it at first, I feel a tug at my heart because it might be my daughter, who phones most mornings — usually to report some progress her baby has made, like eating pudding with a spoon, or gr...Read More